US to fund clean energy projects worth $32 mln

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Thursday the funding of nearly $32 million for small business-led projects focusing on clean energy technologies.

Thirty-two awards will be given out to help small businesses advance their promising concepts that improve manufacturing processes, boost the efficiency of buildings, increase transportation sustainability, and generate electricity from renewable sources.

Projects were selected based on scientific and technical merit, as well as the commercial potential of the proposed project considering their research and development.

"Companies competing for these follow-on grants were encouraged to propose innovations to meet ambitious cost and performance targets," according to the statement.

According to the department, the 32 small businesses awards are located in 18 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.